Saints Fall on the Road at Des Moines

December 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release

URBANDALE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (14-4-1-2, 31 pts) fell on the road 2-1 to the Des Moines Buccaneers (9-8-4-0, 22 pts) on Friday night.

For the second-straight Friday night in Buccaneer Arena, the Saints opened the scoring, but couldn't hold on in the third period to close out a win. Friday was just Dubuque's fourth regulation loss and third road-loss this season, with two coming in the last week against Des Moines.

Lucas St. Louis scored the Saints' league-leading 100th goal of the season to open the scoring early in the second period of the loss. He hammered in a rebound after Joona Väisänen ripped a shot from the point. It was Väisänen's 17th assist and 20th point of the season. His 17 helpers are tied for second most in the USHL. Juraj Pekarcik added a secondary assist in his first game since Nov. 11th, extending his personal point-streak to seven games.

Kevin Reidler made 19 stops on 21 shots, including a few stops on prime Des Moines chances. However, early in the third, a shot that redirected off of Caelum Dick snuck past Reidler to put Des Moines in front and the Saints couldn't find the tying goal.

The Fighting Saints, for the second-straight Friday in Des Moines, failed on all four power-play chances they had. Des Moines tied the game in the second period with a power-play goal by Lubomir Kupco.

Dubuque is back at home on Saturday night to take on the Lincoln Stars for Teddy Bear Toss night at ImOn Arena.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2023

• Fighting Five: Saints Host Stars for First Time Since 2019 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Stars Open Weekend Victorious at Cedar Rapids - Lincoln Stars
• The Aftermath: Storm Drops Shootout Decision to Gamblers - Tri-City Storm
• Saints Fall on the Road at Des Moines - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Hawks' Streak Snapped Friday - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stampede Cages Black Hawks, 4-2 - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Lancers Fall in 6-2 Loss - Omaha Lancers
• Steel Drop Opener of Home-And-Home with Capitols - Chicago Steel
• Jacks Close American Cup with 3-2 Loss to Youngstown - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Lancers Acquire Lucas Brennan from Cedar Rapids - Omaha Lancers
• Caps Play Home-And-Home against Chicago - Madison Capitols
• Stars Hit Road to Face Cedar Rapids, Dubuque - Lincoln Stars
• Bechen Commits to Minnesota-Duluth - Green Bay Gamblers
• Capitols Add O'Donnell to Roster - Madison Capitols
• $16.50 for a Late Rally - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Storm Returns to Action against Gamblers - Tri-City Storm
• Fighting Five: Saints Visit Buccaneers to Open Weekend - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Jacks Kick Off American Cup With 6-2 Win Over Youngstown - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Two-Game Home Weekend on Tap for Bucs - Des Moines Buccaneers

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